The DVSA has launched the complete outcomes of its session on proposed adjustments to the driving take a look at reserving system, alongside a brand new Despatches Weblog submit by Christian Oreschnick, the company’s not too long ago appointed service improvement lead for study to drive/experience. The publication goals to elucidate the reasoning behind the choices already introduced, and the service-led strategy the company says it’s now adopting.
However whereas DVSA acknowledges that the brand new mannequin would require instructors and driving colleges to adapt, contemporary knowledge from a big DIA survey exhibits trainers overwhelmingly disagree with each the measures and the way in which they’ve been launched.
DVSA outlines its place
In his weblog, Oreschnick thanks the greater than 11,000 responses to the session and stresses that DVSA thought-about responses by viewers group reasonably than by quantity alone. He additionally reiterates that the choices introduced by ministers have now set the route for the company’s subsequent steps.
DVSA recognises that the adjustments will significantly have an effect on enterprise fashions that depend upon managing take a look at bookings, together with intensive programs. The company says it’s going to work with NASP and the foremost nationwide colleges to develop steerage and a pupil toolkit to help implementation.
Oreschnick accepts the extent of concern expressed by trainers, including that DVSA “hears the considerations in regards to the financial implications” and can proceed partaking with consultant our bodies because the operational element of the reforms is outlined.
What DVSA has now printed
DVSA has launched the full session report, which particulars the proof ministers used to make selections on:
• Proscribing the flexibility of ADIs to e-book exams
• Limiting take a look at swaps
• Recruiting army examiners to extend capability
• New measures supposed to stop the system being “gamed”
The total report may be accessed right here: https://www.gov.uk/steerage/changes-to-driving-test-booking-rules-in-2026
And the Despatches Weblog submit is offered right here: https://despatch.weblog.gov.uk/2025/12/09/changes-to-booking-system-understanding-views-and-how-these-inform-the-planned-changes/
DIA survey findings inform a special story
DIA’s impartial survey, accomplished this week by 1,051 ADIs, reveals critical considerations about each the measures themselves and the decision-making course of behind them.
Key findings embrace:
78.7% of trainers disagree with limiting ADIs from reserving exams
Solely 21.3% help the measure.
77.7% consider the session ought to have included the choice for solely trainers to e-book exams
A reform many ADIs have persistently advocated.
Confidence in DVSA to resolve take a look at supply points is extraordinarily low
Scores common simply 1.3 to 1.6 out of 5 throughout effectiveness, communication, and belief in DVSA and authorities.
91.2% consider ministers did not correctly think about the unfavorable impacts of the brand new measures
Solely 8.8% really feel all impacts had been thought-about.
93.5% say authorities should seek the advice of extra absolutely with the business earlier than implementing adjustments
The strongest consensus in your entire survey.
Navy examiners seen as having restricted influence on ready occasions
85.1% don’t consider this can meaningfully cut back delays.
Collectively, these responses illustrate an business that feels excluded from policymaking, deeply anxious in regards to the operational penalties of the reforms, and unconvinced that the measures will alleviate the take a look at backlog.
You may view the complete survey outcomes right here: https://www.driving.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Member-Suggestions-to-Driving-Take a look at-Reserving-Modifications.pdf
A rising disconnect between DVSA messaging and business actuality
Whereas DVSA emphasises that its selections are evidence-based and formed by session suggestions, the sentiment captured within the DIA survey suggests a widening hole between the company’s narrative and ADIs’ lived expertise.
Trainers proceed to report:
- Longstanding difficulties securing exams
- Considerations about susceptible learners who depend on teacher help
- Fears that enterprise fashions will grow to be unviable
- A scarcity of readability about how new guidelines will probably be communicated and enforced
- Low confidence in DVSA’s capacity to ship significant enhancements
The session outcomes printed as we speak will enable the business to grasp how DVSA weighted the proof behind every measure. Nevertheless, the early response from instructors signifies that transparency alone isn’t sufficient to revive belief.
DIA’s subsequent steps
DIA will proceed analysing the complete session report and can publish a deeper breakdown for members shortly. We may also be:
- Feeding your survey responses immediately into ongoing discussions with ministers and DVSA
- Urgent for clearer timelines and transitional preparations
- Calling for significant co-design with ADIs earlier than implementation
- Advocating for measures that genuinely cut back ready occasions, reasonably than prohibit entry for pupils who want help
- Taking a look at different methods to allow ADIs to be higher gatekeepers to licensure – DIA is actively partaking with DVSA to have a look at methods wherein trainers may be higher enabled, supported and promoted because the skilled gatekeeper to a driving licence. To that finish we will probably be establishing focus teams within the New 12 months to discover concepts with members.
Your voices are shaping this work, and the dimensions of the response sends a robust message: trainers need reform, however it should be workable, evidence-based, and developed with the occupation, not for it.
